Newbridge beauty Eiméar Cassidy says has been on cloud nine since being crowned the 2016 Derry Rose..
The 26 year-old beat off stiff competition from 13 other entrants at the Derry selection night which held in the White Horse Hotel at, Campsie.
A new format introduced this year means Eiméar is automatically guaranteed a place at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Now in its 57th year, the festival, which takes place between August 17 and 23, will run for seven days featuring 70 Roses, more entertainment and an extra night’s TV coverage.
For Eiméar, a communication and public relations student at University of Ulster, Jordanstown, getting the opportunity to take part in the Rose of Tralee has always been a dream of hers.
“I have always loved the Rose of Tralee. I grew up watching it however I never thought I would be worthy of applying for it,” she told the County Derry Post.
It was only when Eiméar’s friend, Jennifer Tracey tagged her in a Facebook post calling for Derry entrants that she plucked up the courage to put forward her name.
“The Derry Rose Centre were calling on women to apply and when my friend Jennifer saw the post on Facebook she tagged me in it. She convinced me to apply. I just thought to myself ‘why not, what have I got to lose?’”
Over the last few weeks, Eiméar says she has enjoyed getting to know the other girls who took part in the selection.
“The Derry Rose Centre organised a number of team building events in the lead up to the selection night so we all got to know each other very well. I have formed very good friendships as a result so I’ve really enjoyed that.
“When I got up on stage I felt really relaxed and during the interview and I felt that I could be myself. I really enjoyed the experience.”
Eiméar admits when host Lee Gooch called out her name ‘it took a few seconds for it to sink in’.
“It was all a blur,” she laughed.
“I remember putting my head in my hands and then looking up and seeing the 2015 Derry Rose, Eiméar Anderson putting the tiara on my head and Conor Deeney from the Derry Rose Centre changing my sash. It was so surreal.”
However for Eiméar, the youngest of six children, the proudest moment for her was seeing her parents Artie and Mary come onto the stage to congratulate her.
“The best moment of my life was watching my mammy and daddy come up on stage. They were so proud of me,” she said.
And Eiméar’s family aren’t the only ones who are proud of her.
Members of Newbridge community turned out in force to congratulate her in their local bar and restaurant, The Elk, where Eiméar also works part-time.
“We went down to The Elk to celebrate and when we walked in I got a great reception. I felt really privileged. There were people there from Newbridge and they gave me a big cheer as I came in. They were all talking about organising a bus to go down to Tralee in August.”
Eiméar, who is also public relations officer with Newbridge Comhaltas branch, says she is now looking forward to doing her country proud during the summer festival.
Thanking all those who have supported her and sent good wishes, she extended a special thanks to her employers and sponsors, The Elk.
“I wanted The Elk to sponsor me as I work there and also they are very good to the community of Newbridge, the GAA club and also the Comhaltas branch. I am very grateful to them for sponsoring me,” added Eiméar.
Photo shows Eimear with proud parents Artie and Mary Cassidy.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.